Explosion-engine.



PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

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JNWIIZO? Xi il esses n C i/(eg amm WZZKGSSGS No. 846,508. PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

' s. A. REEVE.

EXPLOSION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 1902.

3 SHEETS-$111131 2.

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No. 846,508. PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

' S. A. REEVE.

EXPLOSION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 1902.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. BROWN, TRUSTEE,

READING, MASSACHUSETTS.

EXPLOSION-ENGINE.

To all whom itJ-may concern:

Be it known that I, SIDNEY A. REEVE, of Worcester, in the county'of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosion-Engines, of which the following is a speclfication.

This invention relates to explosion-engines; and its principal objects are to secure an increased number of power irnpulses per number of revolutions of the engine-crank and to secure an increase in and improved control of e'l'liciencies, 5

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of an explosion-motor. constructed in accordance with my invention Fig.- 2 represents a horizontal section of the motor. Fig. 3 represents a diagram of the comparative positions of the main crank and the halfspeed crank. Fig. 4 represents a diagram of the events of one cycle of the engine in terms of the position of the main crank. Fig. 5 represents a sectional view showing a modification. Fig. 6 represents a side elevation showing a second modification.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures. 1 In the drawings, 10 is the main working cylinder, having a piston 11, connected by a pitman 12 with the crank '13 onthemain shaft 14. The piston 11is connected directly by rods 15 15 with the'piston 16 of a compressor-cylinder 17. 18 is the admission valve of said compressor cylinder,

through which the piston draws an explosive mixture on its suction-stroke from gas and air pipes 19 20, and 21 is the discharge-valve.

22 is the pipe for'supplying combustible mixture to the engine, leading from the compressor-cylinder and having branches23 23,

terminating below two admission-valves 24 24. The latter are located at the lower part of a pair ofexplosion-chambers 25 25, having exhaust-valves 26 26 at their u per ends and a common outlet-passage 27, eading to the cylinder 10 and controlled by a sliding pistonvalve 28.

The admission, exhaust, and piston valves are all operated from the wrist-pin 29 of a crank 30 on a shaft 31, operated at half speed from the main shaft 14 through gear- Specification. of Letters Patent. Application filed July 16, 1902. Serial No. 1115;812.

Patented March 12. 1907.

ing 32 33 34 35, the connection with the admission-valves being through rod 36 and lever 37, actuating the stems of said valves, with the exhaust-valves through rod 38 and lever 39, actuating the stems of said valves, and with the piston-valve 28 through a pitman-rod 40, connected with the stem of said valve. The admission-valves 24 are held closed by springs 41 and are not opened except by the lever 37. Admission and exhaust occur alternately in the two chambers 25, and ignition is performed alternately therein by igniters 42 42, whose circuits are actuated by cams 43 44, operating on contact-springs 45 46. h v

47 188, clearance space or chamber connecting by a passage 48 with the compressorcylinder 17 and by a pipe 49, leading fromits lower end, with the casing of .a valve 50. From said casing also extend an inductionpipe 51, having branches 52 52, connected to the respective explosion-chambers 25 25 and controlled by check-valves 53 53, opening toward said chambers, and an eductionpipe 54, leading to a chamber 55, which is connected with the vlower ends of the explosionchambers by outlets 56 56, con trolled by check-valves 57 57, opening away from saidchambers. The outlets 56 are also controlled by valves 58 58, normally held osed by floats 60 60 when the latter are unimmersed so as to prevent the escape of the gaseous contents of the explosion-chambers when all the water is out of them.

61 is an escape-pipe leading from the lower'end of clearance-chamber 47 and conwater from the chamber 47 upon the attain pression.

The valve is adapted to connect either the induction-pipe 51 or the eduction-pipe 54 with the pipe 49, thereby establishing or permitt-inga fiow .of Water either toward or away from the explosion-chambers 25. This valve is connected by an arm 63, rod 64, and lever 65 with a governor 66, driven through gearing 67 68 from the shaft 31.

- It will be seen that the piston-valve 28 is hollow or chambered and receives a supply taining a safety-valve 62, adapted to release.

or circulation of water through its hollow open by springs 59 59, but adapted to be c ment of a predetermined pressure of comstem 69, flexible conduit 70, and pipe 71 from the wateracket 72 of the working cylinder 10. A hand-valve 73 controls the supply of water, which finds its way at certain periods through check-valves 74 74 into the explosion-chambers 25, as more fully hereinafter explained. Water may, if desired, be

admitted to any other su'table point in the system, as into the clearance-chamber 47, through a pipe 75, leading from the waterjacket 76 of the compressor-cylinder and having a hand-valve 77.

The operation is as follows: The relation between the main crank 13 and the crank is illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the numerals on the large circle at the right represent successive positions of the main crank-pin, while the numerals on the small circle at the left represent corresponding positions of the pin 29 of the crank 30. Fig. 4 shows the succession of events .for one complete cycle of two revolutions of the main crank in either one of the explosion-chambers 25. The clearance-space between the piston and cylinder-head in both cylinders is a very small proportion of the piston-stroke. Suppose the engine to be in motion at normal speed and under normal load and the clearance-space 47 nearly full of water, while the explosion-chambers 25 are nearly empty thereof. The compressor-cylinder'17 draws in at each left-handward stroke of its-piston nearly its full measure of explosive mixture owing to the small clearance and compresses it during the following r'ght-hand stroke into the pipe 22. Suppose the main crank to be at position 5 in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows what will occur 11 the right-hand explosion-chamber 25 As the main piston moves ofl from dead-center piston 28 moves to the right and shuts off the right-hand chamber 25 from the working cylinder. At this time, assuming the admission of water to be by way of pipe 71, a small quantity sprays into' the right-hand chamber 25 through the right hand check-valve 74 and descends through the gases in said chamber 25. At the same time the right-hand admission-valve 24 opens and the charge from cylinder 17 is com pressed 'into the right-hand explosion-chamber. At the end of the stroke the cranks 13 and 30 are in' the positions 7 7 of Fig. 3. The

follows.

process of admission during this period is shown by the upper part of the inner semicircle in Fig. 4. While the cranks pass through positions 7 and 8 nearlyto position At or near position 1 igni-.

diately. Just before it closes the right-hand admission-valve 24 opens and the compressed contents of pipe 22 escape into the right-hand explosion-chamber and scavenge the burned gases therefrom. v This completes the cycle in the right-hand explosionchamber. The same cycle is being simultaneously performed in the left-hand explosionchamber 25, but with the order of events shifted by the period occupied by one revolution of the main crank. It is evident, therefore, that the main piston receives an impulse at every outward stroke. During the foregoing act-ion the governor 66 has su pposedly been quiet or in a position of equilibrium, which is that wherein the, valve slightly opens the eduction-conduit 54 to the conduit 49. The same amount of water which enters the explosion chambers 25 through pipe 71 is then vented through safety-valve 62. Now suppose the load to decrease. The ensuing rise of speed causes the governor 66 to rise and shut off the outflow through pipe 54 and possibly establish an inflow through pipe 51. In this event the water-level rises in explosion-chambers 25 and falls in clearance-chamber 47. It falls in the latter both because when the passage is open through pipes 49 51 there are periods of greater pressure in 17 than in the chambers 25, such periods occurring at or near the end of the compressim-stroke in 17, and also because the accumulation of water flowing into the chambers 25 increases the compression in chambers 25, pipe 22, and clearancechamber 47, and hence as much water flows through 62 as is admitted'from pipe 71.

The effect of the fall of water-level in clearance-chamber 47 is to decrease the amount of mixture taken in by the compressor-cylinder on its suction stroke. A smaller quantity of mixture is therefore compressed int-o the chambers 25 and a weaker impulse stroke of the main piston ensues, thus tending to ernor-rod;64 is attache The action under increaseof load isthe reverse of the foregoing.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the piston valve 28 is mounted loosely upon its stem 78 and centralized by. springs 79 79, suchconstruction securing a rapid and quick opening of the valve under the impulse of the explosion.

Fig. 6- shows a joint speed-control of the water-level in the explosion-chambers and the admission of mixture thereto. The nu merals 30, 37, 63, and 64 in this figure represents the same elements as in Fig. 1, and the following-described operation will be readily understood by supposing that the connections shown in Fig. 6 are substituted for the connections shown in Fig. 1 between the halfspeed shaft,.the governor, and the mechanically-operated water-valves. In this case the crank30 is connected by rod with a rock-lever 81, having a guide for a sliding block 82, to which is connected a rod 83, actuating the arm of the lever 37, whereby the admission-valves are 0 erated. The govto a floating lever 84, connected by link 85, lever 89, and link with the rod 83, and by a link 86 with the arm 63, attached to the plug-valve 50. Lever 84. carries a weight 87 to depress its longer end. By this arrangement upon an increase of speed the arm 63 rises until it encounters stop 88. The outflow of water from the exlosion-chambers is thus arrested, but re u- Fation of the admission simultaneously ta es place because of the upward swinging of lever 84 on its connection with rod 86 as a tulcrum and the consequent movement of block 82 toward the pivot of rock-arm 81. This decreases the throw of the lever 37 and the o ening of the admission-valves, the imme-.

diate effect of whichis as follows: It chokes back the pressure in pipe'22 and causes valve 62 to open andgrelease water from 47, thus decreasing the supply of mixture to the engine. duces the pressure 1n the explos1onchamb ers 25 previous to ignition, and hence 'reduces the force of thefollowing impulse. By decreasing the length of the ission-arc in Fig. 4 at both ends this throttling destroys the effect in the explosion-chambers of the out through valve 62.

last part of the compressionstroke in the compressor and by accumulating volume in the clearance-space 47 tends to drive water Sincesome or all of the scavenging-is omitted, the ower impulse is made'slower and weaker. he above actionafl'ords a quick variation in p ower to meet a sudden and wide variation in load and is accompanied by a temporary loss of efficiency, which'latter, however, returns to normal as soon as the water-levels have properly adjusted themselves and have caused the The throttling of the admission re-.

throttling of the admission to cease. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 the induction-conduit 51 of Fig. 1 may, if desired, be omitted.

I claim- 9 i 1. In an explosionengine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, a plurality of explosion-chambers alternately con nectible with the same end of said cylinder, and compressing means distinct from said chambers and operated by the working piston for alternately charging said chambers with combustion fluid.

2. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, a plurality of explosion-chambers alternately connectible with the same end of said cylinder, a

com ressor-cylinder having a piston operated by tli connections Wit] the res ective explosionchambers, and automatica ly-operated valve mechanism controlling the admission from said connections to the explosion-chambers.

3. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder andpiston, two explosion-chambers supplying the same end of the cylinder, a single moving valve structure adapted to alternately connect said "chambers with the cylinder, and mechanism for moving said valve structure at half the number of cycles of the working piston.

4. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, two explosion-chambers havinga common outlet to the cylirder, a sliding piston-valve con trolling said outlet, and mechanism for moving said valve at half the number of strokes of the workin piston.

.5. In an explosion-engine, the combin ation of a workirg cylinder and piston, a plurality of explosion-chambers, connected to supply the same end of said cylinder, means to alternately connect said chambers with the cylinder, a compressor-cylinder having a piston operated by the engine, and means to connect said compressor-cylinder alternately with. said explosion-chambers.

6.7.. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, .a compressor for charging said cylinder, distinct from said cylinder and having a clearancechamber, means to supply a clearance-varying liquid to said chamber, and connections for controlling the liquid-level in said chamber by the compression in said cylinder.

7. In an explosion-engine, the combinatlon of a workingcyllnder having a clearance-chamber, means for supplying a clearancevarying liquid to said chamber, and a compressor adapted to charge said cylinder and connected to. cont-rolthe liquid-level in said chamber.

8. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder, a compressor-cylinder for charging the same, connected cleare working iston and having discharge I gine and a clearance space or chamber,

- hers, means to supply said liquid thereto and explosion-chambers for said cylinder, a comsaid clearance-space and ex losion-chamchamber having a piston driven by the en- 1 gine and a clearance space orchamber,

, explosion-chambers for said cylinder, a com- I er of liquid.

mice-chambers for said cylinders, and means to supply clearance-varying liquid to said chambers.

9. In an explosion-engine the combina-] tion of a working cylinder and piston, an explosion-chamber for said cylinder, a compressor-cylinder for charging said explosionchamber having a piston driven by the enmeans to transfer liquid between said-clearance space and explosion chamber, and means to supply said liquid thereto.

10. In an explosion-engine the combination of a working cylinder and piston, two

pressorcylinder arranged to alternately charge said chambers and having a piston driven by the engine and a clearance space or chamber, means to transfer liquid between bers, and means to supply said iquid thereto.

1.1. In an explosion-engine the combination of a working cylinder and piston, an explosion-chamber for said cylinder, 8. compressoT-cylinder for charging said explosionmeans to transfer liquid between said clearance-space and explosion-chamber, means to supply said liquid thereto and means controlled in accordance with the speed of the engine for controlling the transfer of liquid.

12. In an explosion-engine the combination of a working cylinder and piston, two

pressor cylinder arranged to alternately charge said chambers and having a piston driven by the engine and a clearance space or chamber, means to transferliquid between said clearance-space and explosion-chammeans controlled in accordance with the speed of the engine for controlling the trans- 13. In an explosion-engine the combination of a working cylinder and piston, two explosion-chambers, a compressor-cylinder arranged to alternately charge said chambers and having a piston driven by the englue and a clearance space or chamber, means to transfer liquid between said clean, ance space and explosion-chambers, means to supply said liquid thereto and means controlled in accordance with the speed of the engine for directing the flow alternately in opposite directions.

14. In an explosion-engine the combination of a working cylinder and piston, two explosion-chambers for said cylinder, a compressor-cylinder for charging said explosionchambers having a piston driven by the engine and a clearance space or chamber, means to supply a liquid to said explosion-chambers and clearance-space, a liquid transferring i connection between said explosion-chambers tion of a working cylinder and piston, two

explosion-chambers for said cylinder, a compressor-cylinder for charging said explosionchambers having a piston driven by the engine and a clearance space or chamber, means to sup 1y a liquid to said explosion-chambers and c earance space, a .licuid transferring connection between said explosion-chambers and-space including induction and eduction conduits connected to the explosion-chambers and having respectively check-valves opening toward and away from said explosion-chambers, and means controlled in accordance with the speed of the engine forestablishing the How alternately through said induction and eduction conduits.

16. In an explosion-engine, thecombination of a working cylinder and piston, an explosion-chamber for said cylinder, means to sup ly a liquid to said chamber, an inlet to the ower part of said chamber for supplying combustion fluid thereto, and an admissionvalve controlling said inlet.

17. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder andpiston, an explosion-chamber for said cylinder, a compressor-cylinder for charging said explosionchamber having a piston driven by the engine and a clearance space or chamber, means to transfer liquid between said clearances ace and explosion-chamber, means to sup-.

y said liquid thereto, and means to release liquid from said clearance-space upon theattainment of a predetermined pressure of compression.

18. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, a Inrality of explosion-chambers, means to a ternately connect said chambers with the cylinder, means to admit liquid to said chambers,

ICC

means to admit an explosive alternately to the chambers, and means to control the quantity of liquid and the admission of explosive according to the speed of the engine.

19. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, an explosion-chamber for said cylinder, a compressor-cylinder for charging said explosionchamber having a piston driven by the engine and a clearance space or chamber, means to transfer liquid between said clearancespace and explosion-chamber, means to supply said liquid thereto, and means to'control the transfer of liquid, and the admission of the charge to the explosion-chamber, according to the speed of the engine.

20. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder having a clear cordance with the speed of the engine for directing the flow of said liquid alternately toward and away from said clearance-chamber.

21. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder, an explosionchamber therefor, a valve controlling communication between said cylinder and chamber and chambered for a cooling liquid, means for sup lying said liquid to the valve, and an outlet om the li uid-chamber of the valve to said explosion-c amber. V

22. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder, \two explosionchambers therefor, 'a moving hollow valve structure adapted'to alternately connect said chambers with the. cylinder and having outlets to the chambers, and outwardly-opening check-valves for said; outlets.

' inder and explosion-chamber, said valve be- I ingarranged to open by theforce of'the ex- 23. In an explosion-engine, the combina tion of a working cylinder, a reciprocating iston therein, an explosion-chamber thereor, and a valvetimed with the piston and controlling the connection between said cylplosion.

" 24. In an explosion-en ine, the combination of a working cylin er, an explosionchamber therefor, a valve controlling the connection between said cylinder and ex 10- sion-chamber and adapted to be'opene by the force of the explosion in the latter, means for operating said valve, and an elastic connection between said valve and operating means.

25. In an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder, two explosionchambers-therefor, a valve adapted to alternately connect said chambers with the cylinder, means for reciprocating said valve, and

elastic means connecting said valve and said reci rooating means and arranged to permit sai valve to yield in either direction. j

26'. In-an explosion-engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, a charging-cylinder having a piston operated by the working piston, and clearance-varying means for one of said cylinders operated by the pressure in the other cylinder.

p In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in-presence of two witnesses.

SIDNEY A. REEVE. Witnesses: I, ADELINE C. RATIGANf E. BATOHELDER. 

